Over the next two weeks we’ll be announcing the key talent that will be appearing at Florida Anime Experience: YEAR 6. Each of our Guests/Featured Talent are selected based on a number of variables… most specifically their contributions to Japanese culture and related popular arts. Today we are announcing our first four Featured Talent:

Alvin Aki is a jack-of-all-trades: Not only is he a skilled origami artist, but Aki is also a storyteller and singer at Epcot’s Japanese pavilion, and he’s a film actor who had roles in National Lampoon’s RoboDoc and Tyler Perry’s The Marriage Counselor. His origami art is featured in the Orlando Public Library and he regularly hosts workshops in the Central Florida region. Aki joins Florida Anime Experience for a second year as we continue our mission to expand the cultural programming in conventions. We’re excited to have Al back for Saturday and Sunday of FAE 2016.

Mandy Moore (AmazonMandy) is a cosplayer, designer, and business owner who makes her living sewing custom cosplays, gowns, and clothing. At conventions, she has years of experience cosplaying, being a panelist, judge, and guest. She offers video tutorials and she works hard to bring positivity and acceptance to cosplay, firmly believing anyone of any age, shape, color and size should be able to participate in and enjoy the hobby. She tries to teach people about inclusiveness in the community, and loves meeting new people at conventions. She makes costumes for anyone who would like one, feeling that the best reward of all is making her clients feel pretty, bad-ass, sexy, and glamorous wearing her creations.

Noise Complaint is a group of professional tap dancers who perform full sets of choreographed dances as characters from Sailor Moon, DBZ, Pokemon and more. Noise Complaint’s dances are choreographed using music that is either directly taken from or inspired by currently trending or favorite Anime and Video Games. Their show brings to life epic battles and famed alliances on the stage and combines it with entertaining choreography and catchy rhythms! Our show brings to life epic battles and famed alliances on the stage and combines it with entertaining choreography and catchy rhythms! This high energy cosplay dance show will have you both glued to your seat and dying to get up and dance at the same time.

Taylor “Tayrex” Nelms is both a locally know cosplay AND yoga instructor. In addition to participating on cosplay events throughout the weekend at Florida Anime Experience 2016, Tayrex Cosplay will host a couple of themed yoga classes. Watch for scheduling updates for times/location at the convention. We’re excited to add this unique presentation to the convention.

THANK YOU for your interest in being a part of the Artist Alley at Florida Anime Experience! Artists and creators of original content are an important part of the fan convention experience and each year we’ve celebrated this fact by offering discounted space for local talent to sell their commissions, prints, and other handcrafted goods. Each Artist Alley space comes with:

One (1) six foot table in the Artist Alley area
Two (2) chairs
One (1) weekend pass to the convention labeled “Artist”

PLEASE NOTE that our Artist Alley is juried. This means that we review all applications and a committee from the event operations staff chooses the artists who will be approved. Florida Anime Experience does this in order to make sure a variety of art styles are made available to the attendees – thus avoiding creators all selling the same style/presentation. This also helps artists by making sure they artwork is presented as a unique part of the event!

Each space is $100 (plus Eventbrite fees). There is a limit of one (1) table per artist. This is due to floor plan logistics and to be fair to other artists.

Up to two (2) additional Artist Alley badges may be purchased (per space) at $25 each.

Power and Internet access are available. (Please see Section V of the agreement for details).

Please read and fill out 2016 Artist Application Form and please (PLEASE!) print clearly. You should note that your application is not considered complete until after your space is paid for in full. No exceptions!

If you have questions about anything on this form, please call us at (407) 536-9272 or you can email Art@FloridaAnime.com.

The assignment of artist space will be solely at the discretion of Green Mustard Entertainment management. While we will do our best to accommodate every request, we cannot guarantee a specific space.

Artist Alley packets containing badges and any other pertinent paperwork will be available for pickup before the event begins. See SECTION VI: Hours Of Operations in the Artist Alley Application & Agreement for the exact dates and times. Packets must be retrieved and badges worn before you will be allowed to set up your space. Packets will not be mailed in advance for any reason.

Your Artist Alley space will be considered confirmed upon receipt of a signed contract with full payment. Partial payments and verbal agreements do not constitute a confirmed space or guarantee of any kind.

Any cancellations must be received in writing no later than forty-five (45) days in advance of the show. A fee of $25.00 will be charged for any cancellations. Cancellations are not permitted after fourteen (14) calendar days before the start of the event and all fees (partial or complete) are non-refundable after that point. All refunds will be sent via U.S. Mail within forty-five (45) days after the conclusion of the event.

Setup and breakdown times at the convention are strictly enforced. Your table should be open and available for business during the officially posted Artist Alley hours. Breakdown of your space should not begin before the Artist Alley closure time listed on your signed application.

Bootleg merchandise (aka “grey market goods” – any/all unlicensed products and reproductions of any kind) including but not limited to weapons, costumes, accessories, and all products containing trademarked properties is not authorized for sale in any Green Mustard Entertainment Artist Alley.

Artists agree that no weapon or adult material shall be purchased by or handled by any person below the legal age of 18. You are responsible for furnishing adequate information to Green Mustard Entertainment as to the proper removal of a weapon or adult material from the convention after purchase.

Green Mustard Entertainment reserves the right to revoke or refuse any application or to deny access to and/or remove dealers from the event at any time.

Green Mustard Entertainment is not responsible for losses due to theft, damage, fire, acts of nature, acts of God, or other causes.

You are responsible for providing your own insurance, and neither Green Mustard Entertainment nor the hotel/convention center/event venue will be responsible for obtaining insurance for you, your company, or its employees.

2016 VENDOR ROOM SPACES ARE ON SALE

The Vendor Room at our convention is an important part of the holistic fan experience for our attendees, so THANK YOU for your interest in being a part of that. Your involvement grants eager fans access to merchandise themed appropriately for our event, and that is an invaluable part of the overall value of the convention experience. As a part of this year’s event, each Vendor Room space includes:

All vendors and their staff are responsible for adhering to the Convention Rules and Weapons Policy posted online at http://www.FloridaAnime.com/policies

The assignment of vendor space will be solely at the discretion of Green Mustard Entertainment management. While we will do our best to accommodate every request, we cannot guarantee a specific space.

We will attempt to notify you of your table number and assignment no later than five (5) days prior to the event. Vendor Room packets containing badges and any other pertinent paperwork will be available for pickup before the event begins. See SECTION VI: Hours Of Operations in the Vendor Room Application & Agreement for the exact dates and times. Packets must be retrieved and badges worn before you will be allowed to set up your space. Packets will not be mailed in advance for any reason.

Your vendor space will be considered confirmed upon receipt of a signed contract with full payment. Partial payments and verbal agreements do not constitute a confirmed space or guarantee of any kind.

Any cancellations must be received in writing no later than forty-five (45) days in advance of the show. A fee of $25.00 will be charged for any cancellations. Cancellations are not permitted after fourteen (14) calendar days before the start of the event and all fees (partial or complete) are non-refundable after that point. All refunds will be sent via U.S. Mail within forty-five (45) days after the conclusion of the event.

Setup and breakdown times at the convention are strictly enforced. Your booth should be open and available for business during the officially posted Vendor Room hours. Breakdown of your space should not begin before the Vendor Room closure time listed on your signed application.

Bootleg merchandise (aka “grey market goods” – any/all unlicensed products and reproductions of any kind) including but not limited to weapons, costumes, accessories, and all products containing trademarked properties is not authorized for sale in any Green Mustard Entertainment Vendor Room.

Vendors agree that no weapon or adult material shall be purchased by or handled by any person below the legal age of 18. You are responsible for furnishing adequate information to Green Mustard Entertainment as to the proper removal of a weapon or adult material from the convention after purchase.

Green Mustard Entertainment reserves the right to revoke or refuse any application or to deny access to and/or remove dealers from the event at any time.

Green Mustard Entertainment is not responsible for losses due to theft, damage, fire, acts of nature, acts of God, or other causes.

You are responsible for providing your own insurance, and neither Green Mustard Entertainment nor the hotel/convention center/event venue will be responsible for obtaining insurance for you, your company, or its employees.

Each year we work to partner some amazing companies to help celebrate fandom with Florida Anime Experience fans. This year, we’re ecstatic to announce that The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses is an official sponsor of our convention! To celebrate, we’re giving away a FREE TICKET TO THE CONCERT each month leading up to the event.

Today we’re kicking off our first contest on Facebook. Here’s how to enter:

That’s it! When we hit 2,500 invites – we will pick a winner from all the RSVPs.

The fine print:

No purchase necessary to enter or win!

You must be a U.S. resident to participate in the social media contest.

A winner will be chosen on January 31, 2016 if 2,500 invites it not achieved before then.

Winners will be notified via social media – so watch for updates.

Photo Credit: Matt Le

About The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses: Now touring the United States and Canada, Symphony of the Goddesses brings Zelda fans and symphony goers alike an entirely new, exciting multimedia experience presenting over 28 years of music from The Legend of Zelda franchise as never before.

Fans will relive all of their favorite moments from a fully developed and thoughtfully structured program including memorable, beloved melodies from titles including Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past, Link’s Awakening and more.

Looking for a great last minute Christmas gift? For the next 24 hours, you can get $5 OFF a 3-Day Pass to Florida Anime Experience 2016! Go towww.FloridaAnime.com/Tickets and use promo code HOLIDAYSALE. You’ll save a total of $15 off the at-the-door admission price when selecting the Early Bird ticket AND use the coupon code!

This offer is good for only 24 hours, however, and will expire at 2:00 PM (Eastern Time Zone) on Wednesday, December 23, 2015.

Florida’s Anime Convention about ANIME takes place April 22-24, 2016 in Kissimmee, Florida. Join us for YEAR SIX of the Florida Anime Experience! The three day convention will feature anime, cosplay, maid cafes, manga, panels, video games, workshops, and Japanese pop-culture. You can learn more online at www.Florida-Anime.com.

Each year we launch Florida Anime Experience ticket sales on the day after Thanksgiving… aka “Black Friday“. This year, that falls on November 27, 2015 – and it is the single best day to buy your three day pass to Florida Anime Experience 2016.

Florida Anime Experience 2016 will again take place at the Park Inn by Radisson Resort & Conference Center Orlando located at 3011 Maingate Lane in Kissimmee, Florida. The property boasts 30,000 square feet of convention space AND it’s right down the street from the Walt Disney World resort. The hotel has extended attendees a special room rate of only $69 a night. In addition, the standard $15 a night Resort Fee has been waived! PLUS: Free parking.

Reservations must be made no later than Wednesday, April 13, 2016.

You can make a reservation one of two ways: You canreserve your room online here: http://bit.ly/1LFQTtV OR call The Park Inn Reservations Department at (866) 688-5064. When you do, identify yourself as an attendee of Florida Anime Experience to get the special rate.